Find Rest, My Child!
March 24, 2021·Carolina Majors
We read in Psalm 23:1-6, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Find rest and comfort in the words David wrote about his Shepherd. You can see time and time again how the Bible refers to God as the Good Shepherd. David could relate to the life of the shepherd, because as a young child he was one. His job was to protect and care for his flock. You can understand how he could take this reference of God being his Shepherd and write something so beautiful as Psalm 23, about our provider, our protector, and friend in time of need.
I outlined just a few verses in this portion of Scripture, because these stood out to me most while I let these verses soak into my spirit. I think about this year and how hard it’s been in so many areas of my life. But God! Just as shepherds watched and took such care of their flocks, so our Father in His lovingkindness provides, cares for, fights for, and brings us to green pastures to find rest for our bodies and souls. During those times that I allowed God to lead me away from my worry and anxiety, He met me with care and gentleness, leading me beside those quiet, still waters, where I truly find rest in Him alone. In those times that I rested in His presence and allowed Him to restore my soul from the outside world, I was able to really rest. Not a superficial rest, but a true giving over of my deepest hurts, my pain, my irritation and worries. A peaceful, beautiful place with Him, where He is leading the way and not me.
He brings me peace and restores my soul. He brings me back, time and time again, to that place of rest in Him. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, allow this psalm, this beautiful poetry, to rest in your heart and remind you that our Shepherd will always take care of you in your hardest moments, lead you to a place of rest and peace, and will provide for all your needs. Allow Him to lead you to rest. If you’re having a hard time really resting in Him — real rest, where your body and mind are not running through thoughts of failure or fear, worry or anxiety — I challenge you to read this scripture over this week, and pray that the Lord will reveal to you what this means for you and what you need to do to get to this place in your own personal life.
Praying for you, church family. Praying that we continue to know our Good Shepherd.
Pastor Carolina Majors
